Affiliations: Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children’s Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland | Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Thierry A.G.M. Huisman, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, 600 North Wolfe Street, Nelson B-173, Baltimore, MD 21287-0842, USA. Tel.: +1 410 614 3772; Fax: +1 410 502 3633; E-mail: thuisma1@jhmi.edu.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in fetuses with sonographically evident ventriculomegaly with regard to the provision of additional information: as an isolated finding, as an acquired pathology, or as a part of a syndrome/malformation complex. Thirty-eight women with fetal ventriculomegaly suspected by prenatal ultrasonography (US) were referred to our institution from October 2002 to January 2007 for fetal MRI. In 11 cases, US and MRI findings were comparable. In seven cases, MRI specified the diagnosis without changing management or counseling, while in three cases, additional findings led to a change in management and/or counseling. In 12 cases, the diagnosis was made based on MRI findings; in five cases, neither US nor MRI detected the underlying pathology for ventriculomegaly prenatally, with the final diagnosis being made postnatally. Fetal MRI has proven to have a significant impact in the majority of cases (33/38) by confirming, completing, or correcting US diagnoses, enabling adequate management and counseling. On the basis of our observations, we discuss selected causes of ventriculomegaly via a neuropediatric approach with a focus on prognosis and outcome.
